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Step 1
Read up on its Greek roots and history. Learn that phosphorus is named for the Greek word "phosphoros," meaning bringer of light. White phosphorus glows in the presence of oxygen.
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Step 2
Learn that the discovery of phosphorus is credited to Hennig Brand of Germany in 1669. By reading the history, you'll learn that Brand discovered white phosphorus while evaporating urine in an attempt to distill salts.
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Step 3
Read about geology and learn that phosphorus is obtained mainly from the minerals apatite and fluorapatite, although it is also found in phosphophyllite, turquoise and vivianite. It is mined mostly in China, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Tunisia and the United States in Florida. Using mining and chemical manufacturing techniques, phosphorus can be produced by heating tricalcium phosphate with carbon and silica, although other methods are also used.
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Step 4
Search chemistry and physics Web sites and books to learn that phosphorus is one of the six bulk elements necessary for life. Make sure you learn about the appearance, reactivity and other chemical and physical properties of phosphorus.
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Step 5
Learn that the single greatest use of phosphorus is in fertilizers. Industrial applications of phosphorus compounds include its use in baking powder, chinaware, glass, water softeners, soft drinks, pharmaceuticals and metal treatments. Pure phosphorus is used to make safety matches, tracer bullets, incendiary devices, pesticides, pyrotechnic devices and many other products.
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Step 6
Search for information on biochemistry to learn why phosphorus is a critical element for life. Phosphorus is a component of DNA and other important biological molecules. It is also used for skeletal and nervous system formation.
